By Cao Qian (Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2007-06-25 10:21

Like any other big city in the world, Hong Kong, nicknamed "the Pearl of the Orient" by many travelers, has plenty of smog, smells and jostling elbows.

For some, big cities hold no attraction at all, but for many those could just be the right factors to contribute to an ultra unforgettable experience.

Actually the best thing about being in Hong Kong is feeling and experiencing the confluences and contradictions of a Chinese city with multi-Asian and Western elements.

There you will encounter grannies indulging in Cantonese operas and mahjong games, daring and energetic young Chinese men in slick suits speaking perfect English, and also, not too surprising perhaps, Westerners humming some dumb Cantopop tune while slurping their noodles.

While there is a lot to do in the 1,102-square-kilometer city packed with some 6.8 million people, dining and shopping should be among those top priorities on any traveler's itinerary.

Where to eat

It is no exaggeration that once you are in Hong Kong, the only regret you could have about food is that your eyes are always bigger than your stomach.

Renowned for its exotic fusion of Eastern and Western flavors, Hong Kong is regarded as "a gourmet's paradise" where you can find everything from any Asian delicacy to the very best Western fare.

The famous Chinese cuisine, noted for its various flavors, aromas and textures, is sure to satisfy even the most discerning of palates.

The most popular styles of Chinese cooking in Hong Kong are Cantonese, Chiu Chow. Cantonese and Chiu Chow, originating from the same Chinese province of Guangdong, but rather different in both style and flavor.

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